Meegahakiula Area Program

Program Type

Community Development

Planned Life Cycle

2014 - 2029

Location

Sri Lanka

Areas of Focus

Livelihoods  | Child Protection and Participation

Program Timeline

Status: Active

Progress

550people were actively involved in savings groups, providing them with financial literacy training and access to small loans

Progress

1,012children and youth participated in groups and clubs, gathering with peers to develop new skills and positive values.

Progress

462youth participated in life skills training through World Vision programs.

A white jeep driving through a muddy path, featuring a rainbow and trees in the background.

Program Details

Context

The Meegahakiula community is located in a rural area of Sri Lanka. It is home to almost 20,000 people. Most families depend on local resources for survival and more than 79% are farmers. However, constant droughts have led to food shortages and children often go hungry. When crops fail to grow during the dry season, people earn income by collecting and selling firewood. This has led to deforestation and is quickly depleting the area's natural resources.

The most vulnerable children often come from families in isolated areas without roads. The steep terrain makes it extremely hard to access health care when sick or pregnant, and children struggle to get to schools that are far away. Although educators recognize issues, such as lack of safe drinking water and clean washrooms, little has been done to address them. As a result, many students drop out.

...
Challenges
Education
The quality of education in Meegahakiula's preschools is low. Teachers are often absent and have no standard syllabus to follow. The community lacks understanding about the importance of early childhood care and development. As a result, preschools don't monitor attendance.

Students in higher grades also struggle to access quality education and instruction. In rural schools, there are few teachers who are trained in core subjects, leading to gaps in information. School committees aren't active or organized and the community does not generally prioritize education.

Health Care
The health status of children in the community is worrying. Low family income and lack of information prevents parents from forming healthy habits, such as growing their own fruits and vegetables. As a result, children and mothers are malnourished.

Limited access to health care, clean, safe drinking water, and proper washrooms leaves children vulnerable to sickness and infection. Teenage pregnancy and low birth weight are also common issues.

Child Protection
Protecting the rights of youth in Meegahakiula is vital. Most community members are unaware of children's rights and cannot advocate on their behalf. Youth lack opportunities to learn how to defend themselves and promote important causes.

No organized children's groups exist and there are few safe spaces for children. This prevents them from playing and socializing with one another in healthy ways. Youth also have few chances to participate in community conversations.
...
Plans
Education
To ensure children can access and benefit from quality education, World Vision will assist the community to:
  • Train teachers and provide them with better educational resources for their students.
  • Develop partnerships between parents, caregivers, and school committees.

Health Care
With the partnership of Canadian sponsors and the community, World Vision will work to:
  • Improve nutrition practices and bring malnourished children back to health.
  • Provide more families with access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities.
  • Increase availability of health services to the community and help staff treat patients more effectively.
  • Boost family diets by creating home gardens and supporting crop production.

Child Protection
To ensure children and youth enjoy a safe and protected environment, World Vision will work to:
  • Strengthen ability of children, community members, and the government to advocate for child protection issues.
  • Develop youth groups and provide opportunities for young people in leadership and skills development.
  • Create support systems for children who are at-risk of abuse or have had their rights violated.
  • Monitor and follow up with children in the community to ensure they are protected and safe.

Economic Development
To ensure parents in Meegahakiula can provide for their families, World Vision will partner with the community to:
  • Increase job training opportunities and share life skills with the youth
...
An image of children sitting on the ground in a classroom, writing in workbooks.

Results

Unless otherwise stated, data presented on this page reflects the most up-to-date results of World Vision Canada programs reported between October 2022 and September 2023, and any previous fiscal years available. Previously reported data may not match the current presentation as we continuously receive and refine data from our programs. If you have any questions, kindly reach out to us.